Multi-position electric switch with movable cam contact means



P 1965 D. R. LOCKE ET AL 3,206,563

MULTI-POSITION ELECTRIC SWITCH WITH MOVABLE CAM CONTACT MEANS Filed Feb. 25, 1963 INVENTOR. DAV/D A. ZOE/(f 08587 f TOZM/E 7 77 77 9 I M 4pm Ava/{MEX United States Patent 3,206,563 MULTI-POSlTION ELECTRIC SWITCH WITH MOVABLE CAM @DNTAQT MEANS David R. Locke, Bridgeport, and Robert James Tolmie,

Fairfield, .ComL, assignors to Sperry Rand Corporation,

New York, N .Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 25, 1963, Ser. No. 260,560 13 Claims. (Cl. 200-6) This invention relates to electrical switches and more particularly to a multi-position electrical switch.

The present invention finds ready application to multiposition switches utilized in electrically powered devices.

Some electrical devices merely require an on-oil type of switch because the mechanism thereof is constructed to operate from a given voltage level, at only one speed, and in a prescribed cycle of operation. However, to increase the utility of such devices, and especially those electrical devices of the portable motor operated type, the mechanism thereof may be constructed for selective operation from either alternating or direct current, from sources at different voltage levels, at different speeds, and in different cycles of operation. To accomplish such selective operation of a particular device plural circuits must be provided therefor, with control switching to selectively connect the required circuit to the mechanism.

In some instances said control switching takes the form of plural buttons or switches requiring complex structure to close the designated circuit and open the previously closed circuit upon actuation of any particular button or switch. The problems inherent with the use of plural buttons or switches are minimized in those devices which use a multi-position switch for said control switching. However, the great majority of multi-position switches in common use are complex in construction and large in size when considering the number of circuits provided thereby.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel electrical switch.

Another object is to provide a novel multi-position electrical switch.

Still another object is to provide a novel, compact, multi-position, electrical switch which is simple in construction and efficient in operation.

A still further object is to provide a novel, compact, multi-position, electrical switch which is simple in construction and efircient in operation and which may be used with a portable motor operated electrical device.

The present invention contemplates a multi-position electrical switch utilizing a plurality of spaced stationary contacts, a plurality of spaced movable contacts disposed in the space between the stationary contacts, and a plurality of spaced positionable contacts carried by a positionable actuator and disposed in the space between the movable contacts. Selection means are provided for displacing the actuator from a first position, wherein the positionable contacts are engaged with the movable contacts, to either one of plural other positions, wherein the positionable contacts are out of engagement with the movable contacts and a predetermined movable contact is engaged with a predetermined stationary contact.

Other objects and advantages of the invention in its details of construction and arrangement of parts will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification and accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial elevational view of an electrical device showing the location therein of a multi-position switch which embodies the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately on the line 22 of FIG. 1, cut away in part to better show the switch contacts;

3,206,563 Patented Sept. 14, 1965 FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the bottom of the positionable actuator;

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are schematic representations of the switch contacts, showing the positions thereof for dilferent settings of the positionable actuator; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view of the cam portion of the positionable actuator of FIG. 5.

Referring now to the drawing for a more detailed description of the present invention, an embodiment thereof is shown for incorporation into a portable motor operated electrical device 11, such as a shaver, or power tool. It should be understood however, that the hereinafter described application of the invention to such an electrical device is for purposes of illustration only inasmuch as the subject invention finds ready application to any device with an electrical power mechanism which is to be selectively connected to one or more of plural control circuits.

A head section 13 (FIGS. 1 and 3) and a base section 15 (FIGS. 1 and 2) coact to form a housing 17 for the component parts (not shown) of device 11. A wall 21 (FIGS. 3 and 4) forms the outer shell of head section 13. A wall 23 (FIGS. 2 and 4) forms the outer shell of base section 15. A base member or support 25, spanning wall 23, may be formed either integral therewith or as 21 separate unit properly attached thereto.

A substantially L shaped contact support 27 (FIG. 2) has one of its legs secured to support 25 by appropriate means such as a rivet 28. A stationary contact button 29 is mounted on the other leg of contact support 27. A stationary contact button 30 (FIG. 2), disposed in spaced relationship with contact button 29, is mounted on one leg of a substantially Lshaped contact support 31 (FIGS. 2 and 3) the other leg of which is secured to support 25 by appropriate means such as a rivet 32.

A leaf spring 35 (FIGS. 2 and 4) having a tab 37 formed at one end thereof is secured to support 25 by appropriate means such as a rivet 39. A movable contact button 41 (FIG. 2) is carried by the free end of leaf spring 35 for movement into and out of engagement with sta tionary contact button 27. A leaf spring 43 (FIGS. 2 and 4) having a tab 45 formed at one end thereof is secured to support 25, in spaced relationship with leaf spring 35, by appropriate means such as a rivet 47. A movable contact button 49 (FIG. 2) is carried by the free end of leaf spring 37 for movement into and out of engagement with stationary contact button 30.

A positionable contact 51 (FIGS. 2 and 4) adapted for wiping engagement with a center portion 53 of leaf spring 35, is carried by a cam 55 formed on a positionable actuator 57. A positionable contact 61 adapted for wiping engagement with a center portion 63 of leaf spring 43 is also carried by cam 55.

Cam 55 in transverse cross-section has the configuration of a rectangle 71 (FIG. 9) and a triangle 73 with the base of triangle 73 meeting a side of rectangle 71 along an imaginary line 75. An aperture 77 (FIGS. 3 and 9) hollowed out of cam 55, has a rectangular portion 79 (FIG. 9) and a semicircular portion 81 meeting rectangular portion 79 along imaginary line 75. The center 0 of semi-circular portion 81 is located on imaginary line equidistant from sides 83 and 85 formed on rectangle 71. Legs 87 and 89 formed on triangle 73 meets sides 83 and 85 of rectangle 71 at arcuate corners 91 and 93, respectively. Arcuate corners 91 and 93 are formed at a radial distance d from center 0 of semicircular portion 81, which distance :1 is equal in dimension to the length of imaginary line 75 which lies between center 0 and either side 83 or side 85, of rectangle 71. A base 95, formed on rectangle 71, meets sides 83 and 85 thereof at corners 97 and 99, respectively. Corners 97 and 951 are located at a radial distance d from center 0. The geometry of cam 55 is such that radial distance d is larger than radial distance :1

A recessed seat 111 (FIGS. 3 and 4) formed in side 83 of cam 55, is adapted to receive positionable contact 51. An end 113 (FIGS. 3 and 4) of positionable contact 51 is disposed in aperture 77 of cam 55 and extends therefrom into recessed seat 111, along side 53 of cam 55. through an aperture 115 (FIG. 4) formed in positionable actuator 57 and terminates in an end 117 disposed along upper surface 119 of positionable actuator 57.

A recessed seat 121 (FIG. 4) formed in side 85 of cam 55, is adapted to receive positionable contact 61. An end 123 (FIG. 4) of positionable contact 61 is disposed in aperture 77 of cam 55 and extends therefrom into recessed seat 121 along side 83 of cam 55, through an aperture 125 formed in positionable actuator 57, and terminates in an end 127 disposed along upper surface 119 of positionable actuator 57.

The sides of recessed seats 111 and 121 and the inner surfaces of apertures 115 and 125 cooperate with the sides of positionable contacts 51 and 61 to secure said contacts 51 and 61 in position on cam 55 and against movement with respect to cam 55.

A circular opening 131 (FIG. 5), formed in positionable actuator 57 constitutes the upper end of aperture 77. Opening 131 is formed concentric with semi-circular portion 81 (FIG. 9) of aperture 77 and with a diameter equal to the diameter of said semi-circular portion. A pivot 135 (FIG. 4) projecting from the inner surface of wall 21 into housing 17, is formed with an outside diameter slightly smaller in size than the diameter of circular opening 131 to permit a sliding fit between the outer surface of pivot 135 and the inner surface of opening 131.

When assembling device 11, positionable actuator 57 is disposed therein (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4) so that cam 55 of positionable actuator 57 is positioned between leaf springs 55 and 43 with positionable contacts 51 and 61 in engagement with center portions 53 and 63 respectively of leaf spring and 43, and with Opening 131 in position to receive pivot 135. Attachment of head section 13, of housing 17, to base section 15, thereof by appropriate means (not shown) seats pivot 135, of head section 13, in opening 131, of positionable actuator 57, to establish an axis of rotation for positionable actuator 57 concentric with center c of semi-circular portion 81 of aperture 77.

A selector 141 (FIGS. 1 and 3) formed on positionable actuator 57 extends through an opening 143 (FIG. 1) provided in housing 17. Selector 141 when set to a center position (FIG. 2) sets cam to a comparable center position (FIG. 6). Selector 141 when pivoted about pivot 135 in the clockwise direction (FIG. 2) from said center position sets cam 55 to a comparable clockwise position (FIG. 7). Selector 141 when pivoted about pivot 135 in the counterclockwise direction (FIG. 2) from said center position sets cam 55 to a comparable counterclockwise position (FIG. 8). As clearly shown in FIG. 2 outer wall 23, of base section 15, is curved to facilitate the aforesaid movement of selector 141.

In said center position of cam 55 (FIG. 6) contact 51 is in engagement with center portion 53 of leaf spring 35 and contact 61 is in engagement with center portion 63 of leaf spring 43. Leaf springs 35 and 43 are slightly flexed by the presence of cam 55 therebetween and engage sides 83 and 85 respectively of cam 55 to detent cam 55 in its center position. Contact button 41, carried by leaf spring 35 is spaced from contact button 29 and contact button 49, carried by leaf spring 43 is spaced from contact button 30, said spacing between the contact buttons having a dimension smaller than the difference between the dimensions of radial distances d and 01 (FIG. 9).

When selector 141 is pivoted clockwise (FIG. 2), about pivot 135, cam 55 also pivots clockwise (FIG. 6). Pivot- 4 ing of cam 55 clockwise from its FIG. 6 position to its FIG. '7 position engages corner 99, of cam 55, with leaf spring 43 to thereby fiex leaf spring 43 an amount sufficient to engage contact button 4-9 with contact button 30. Leaf spring 35 engages leg 87 of triangle 73 to detent cam 55 in its FIG. 7 position. It should be noted that the location of corner Q9 at a distance d from rotative center 0 is sufficient to effect engagement of contact buttons 49 and 35 while the location of corner 91 at a distance 0? from rotative center 0 is insufiicient to effect engagement of contact buttons 41 and 29. Furthermore during such clockwise rotation (FIG. 6) of cam 55 positionable contacts 51 and 61 are removed from their positions of engagement with leaf springs 35 and 43 respectively.

When selector 141 is pivoted counterclockwise (FIG. 2) about pivot cam 55 also pivots counterclockwise (FIG. 6). Pivoting of cam 55 counterclockwise from its FIG. 6 to its FIG. 8 position engages corner 97, of cam 55, with leaf spring 35 to thereby flex leaf spring 35 an amount sufiicient to engage contact button 41 with contact button 29. Leaf spring 43 engages leg 89 of triangle 73 to detent cam 55 in its FIG. 8 position. It should be noted that the location of corner 97 at a distance d from rotative center 0 is sufiicient to effect engagement of contact buttons 41 and 2.? while the location of corner 93 at a distance at from rotative center c is insufficient to effect engagement of contact buttons 49 and 30. Furthermore during such counterclockwise rotation (FIG. 6) of cam 55 positionable contacts 51 and 61 are removed from their positions of engagement with leaf springs 35 and 43 respectively.

Housing 17 and positionable actuator 57, including cam 55 thereof, may be made of any suitable electrically non-conductive material. Contacts 29, 3t), 41, 49, 51, and 61 may be connected in any conventional manner to the mechanism of device 11, or to each other as by a shunt if required to facilitate a particular use of said mechanism.

From the above description and drawing it will thus be seen that a novel, compact, multi-position electrical switch has been provided, which switch includes plural pairs of selectively engageable contacts and a positionable actuator for elfecting selective engagement and disengagement of said contact pairs. The arrangement of parts is such that only a small movement of said positionable actuator is required to selectively engage and disengage predetermined pairs of contacts. Efiicient detenting is also provided to minimize the possibility of inadvertent movement of said positionable actuator.

It is understood that although we have shown the preferred form of our invention, that various modifications may be made in the details thereof Without departing from its spirit as comprehended by the following claims.

We claim:

1. A circuit maker and breaker comprising:

(a) an electrically non-conductive support means;

(b) at least one stationary contact carried by said support means;

(0) at least one movable contact carried by said support means for movement between a position removed from said stationary contact and a position engaged with said stationary contact;

(d) an electrically non-conductive contact moving means disposed on said support means for coaction with said movable contact to selectively effect movement thereof between a position engaged with said stationary contact and a position removed from said stationary contact; and

(e) at least one electrically conductive contact area on said contact moving means movable therewith between a position engaging said movable contact when said movable contact is in its position removed from said stationary contact and a position disengaged from said movable contact when said movable contact is engaged with said stationary contact.

2. The circuit maker and breaker of claim 1; wherein,

(a) said movable contact comprises a leaf spring having one of its ends secured to said support means and the other of its ends spaced from said stationary contact;

(b) said contact moving means coacting with said leaf spring to either flex said other end and thereby engage said movable contact with said stationary contact, or to permit said other end to unfiex whereby said movable contact is removed from said stationary contact.

3. A circuit maker and breaker comprising.

(a) an electrically non-conductive support means;

(b) a first stationary contact carried by said support means;

(c) a second stationary contact carried by said sup port means in spaced relationship with said first sta tionary contact;

(d) a first movable contact disposed between said first and said second stationary contacts and carried by said support means for movement between a position removed from said first stationary contact and a position engaged with said first stationary contact;

(c) a second movable contact disposed between said first movable contact and said second stationary contact and carried by said support means for movement between a position removed from said second stationary contact and a position engaged with said second stationary contact;

(f) electrically non-conductive contact moving means disposed on said support means for coaction with said first and said second movable contacts and selectively movable between a first position to bring said first movable contact into engagement with said first stationary contact, a second position to bring said second movable contact into engagement with said second stationary contact, and a third position wherein neither said first nor said second movable contacts are brought into engagement with their respective stationary contacts;

(g) an electrically conductive first contact area on said contact moving means for movement therewith between a position engaging said first movable contact when said contact moving means is in said third position, and positions removed from said first movable contact when said contact moving means is in either said first position or said second position; and

(h) an electrically conductive second contact area on said contact moving means for movement therewith between a position engaging said second movable contact when said contact moving means is in said third position and in positions disengaged from said second movable contact when said contact moving means is in either said first position or said second position.

4. The circuit maker and breaker of claim 3, wherein said first and second contact areas are electrically insulated one from the other.

5. The circuit maker and breaker of claim 3; including means for detenting said contact moving means in either said first, said second, or said third positions.

6. An electrical switch; comprising,

(a) a base member of electrically non-conductive material;

(b) first and second spaced stationary contacts secured to said base member;

(c) first and second spaced leaf spring contacts disposed between said first and said second spaced stationary contacts;

(d) said first leaf spring contact having a free end adapted for movement into and out of engagement with said first stationary contact;

all

(c) said second leaf spring contact having a free end adapted for movement into and out of engagement with said second stationary contact;

(f) said first and said second leaf spring contacts each having a fixed end secured to said base member;

(g) first and second spaced positionable contacts disposed betwen said first and said second spaced leaf spring contacts; and

(h) a positionable actuator of electrically non-conductive material mounting said first and said second spaced positionable contacts for simultaneous movement between a position of engagement of said first and said second positionable contacts respectively with said first and said second leaf spring contacts, and positions removing said first and said second positionable contacts from engagement with said first and said second leaf spring contacts;

(i) said positionable actuator coacting with said first leaf spring contact to fieX same into engagement with said first stationary contact in one of said positions removing said first and said second positionable contacts from engagement with said first and said second leaf spring contacts;

(j) said positionable actuator coacting with said secand leaf spring contact to flex same into engagement with said second stationary contact in another of said positions removing said first and said second positionable contacts from engagement with said first and said second leaf spring contacts;

.(k) said positionable actuator, in said position of engagement of said first and said second positionable contacts respectively with said first and said second leaf spring contacts, permitting said first and said second leaf spring contacts to remain unfiexed and therefore out of engagement with said first and said second stationary contacts.

7. The electrical switch of claim 6; wherein,

(a) said positionable actuator includes a cam portion also of electrically non-conductive material positioned between said first and said second leaf spring contacts;

(b) said cam portion in cross-section appearing as a rectangular figure and a triangular figure with the base of the triangle and one side of the rectangle forming a common line;

(c) said rectangle having a first side and a second side perpendicular to said common line, said first side mounting said first positionable contact and said second side mounting said second positionable contact, said first and said second sides being engaged by said first and said second leaf spring contacts to detent said positionable actuator in said position permitting said first and said second leaf spring contacts to remain unfiexed;

(d) a first leg of the triangle being engaged by said first leaf spring contact to detent said positionable actuator in its position flexing said second leaf spring contact into engagement with said second stationary contact; and

(e) a second leg of the triangle being engaged by said second leaf spring contact to detent said positionable actuator in its position flexing said first leaf spring contact into engagement with said first stationary contact.

8. The electrical switch of claim 7; wherein,

(a) said free ends of said first and said second leaf spring contacts are respectively normally spaced from said first and said second stationary contacts a predetermined distance;

(b) said rectangle has a base portion parallel to said common line and intersecting said first side at a first point and said second side at a second point;

(c) said first corner engaging and moving said first leaf spring contact and being located at a distance 7 from the rotative center of said cam portion sufficient to move said free end of said first leaf spring contact into engagement with said first stationary contact, said second leg of the triangle engaging said second leaf spring contact to detent same and from their position of engagement with their respective contacts of said first and said second pairs of contacts, and to move said second pair of contacts into engagement one with the other. ll. The multi-position switch of claim 10; wherein,

a being located at a distance from the rotative axis (a) said first pair of contacts includes a first stationary of said cam portion which is insuflicient to move contact and a first movable leaf spring contact; said free end of said second leaf spring contact into (b) said second pair of contacts includes a second engagement with said second stationary contact; stationary contact and a second movable leaf spring ((1) said second corner engaging and moving said 10 contact;

second leaf spring contact and being located at a dis- (c) said first movable leaf spring contact and said tance from the rotative center of said cam portion second movable leaf spring contact each coacting suflicient to move said free end of said second leaf with one of said contacts of said third pair of conspring contact into engagement with said second tacts. stationary contact, said first leg of the triangle en- 5 12.. The m lti-position switch of claim 11; including, gaging said first leaf spring contact to detent same (a) cam means formed on said positionable contact and being located at a distance from the rotative axis moving means for coaction with said first and said of said cam portion which is insufiicient to move second movable leaf spring contacts; said free end of said first leaf spring contact into (b) said cam including moving portions coacting with engagement with said second stationary contact. said first and said second movable leaf spring con- 9. The electrical switch of claim '7; including,

(a) a housing for said electrical switch;

(b) an aperture formed in the rectangular section of said cam portion of said positionable actuator; and

(0) means projecting from said housing into said aperture to locate said positionable actuator therein and provide a pivot therefore.

10. A portable electrical appliance adapted for plural tacts to move same into engagement with their respective stationary contacts;

(c) said cam further including detenting portions coacting with said first and said second movable leaf spring contacts to detent said positionable contact moving means in each of its settable positions.

13. In a switch of the class described;

(a) a housing having contact supporting means;

(b) a pair of stationary contacts carried by said supporting means; (0) a pair of first movable contacts carried by said modes of operation including a multi-position switch selectively settable to establish a particular mode of U0 operation for said appliance, said switch comprising:

(a) a housing having contact supporting means;

(b) a first pair of contacts carried by said supporting means engageable to establish a first mode of operation for said electrical appliance;

(c) a second pair of contacts carried by said supporting means spaced from said first pair of contacts and engageable to establish a second mode of operation for said electrical appliance;

supporting means and adapted for engagement with and disengagement from said stationary contacts;

(d) an electrically non-conductive rotatable actuator member disposed between said pair of first movable contacts;

(e) a pair of second movable contacts arranged on spaced Wall portions of said actuator member and adapted for engagement with and disengagement (d) a third pair of contacts disposed in said housing 40 from said pair of first movable contacts; and

between said first pair of contacts and said second (f) means for rotating said actuator member for oppair of contacts, one of the contacts of said third erating said switch under a first condition of operapair of contacts being engageable with one of the tion to cause engagement of only one of said pair of contacts of said first pair of contacts and the other stationary contacts with one of said pair of first of the ctplntactshof said hitgd pairtoft conftactsdbeing mo z ablet contacts, under a tsecpnd 1conhditior]:1 of opengagea e wit one o e con acs o sai secera ion 0 cause engagemen o onyt e 0t er conond pair of contacts, said contacts of said third pair tact of said pair of stationary contacts with the other of contacts when so engggeid estallalishiiig a third cortacts oi sgid pair of firfst movable contacts, and mode of operation for sai e ectrica app iance; un er a t ir con ition 0 operation to cause en- (e) an electrically non-conductive positionable congagement of both of said pair of second movable tact moving means positioned within said housing contacts on said actuator with both of said pair of and coacting with all of said contacts; first movable contacts and disengagement of the lat- (f) selection means coacting vlvith said positionablei ter contacts from said pair of stationary contacts.

contact moving means to disp ace same to a centra position to move said contacts of said third pair Reffimmes Clieii y the Examine! of contacts into engagement with their respective UNITED STATES PATENTS contacts of said first and second pairs of contacts;

(g) said selection means also coacting with said pogig sitionable contact moving means to displace same 2,626,334 1/53 Koenig 200-6 X to one side of said central position to move said 2274 031 11/55 M L ultanen 200155 contacts, of said third pair of contacts from their 2798 915 7/57 Watson 200 153 X position of engagement with their respective contacts of said first and second pairs of contacts, and FOREIGN PATENTS to move said first pair of contacts into engagement 661,106 2/29 France.

one with the other;

(h) said selection means furthermore coacting with said positionable contact moving means to displace same to the other side of said central position to move said contacts of said third pair of contacts Examiners. 

1. A CIRCUIT MAKER AND BREAKER COMPRISING: (A) AN ELECTRICALLY NON-CONDUCTIVE SUPPORT MEANS; (B) AT LEAST ONE STATIONARY CONTACT CARRIED BY SAID SUPPORT MEANS; (C) AT LEAST ONE MOVABLE CONTACT CARRIED BY SAID SUPPORT MEANS FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A POSITION REMOVED FROM SAID STATIONARY CONTACT AND A POSITION ENGAGED WITH SAID STATIONARY CONTACT; (D) AN ELECTRICALLY NON-CONDUCTIVE CONTACT MOVING MEANS DISPOSED ON SAID SUPPORT MEANS FOR COACTION WITH SAID MOVABLE CONTACT TO SELECTIVELY EFFECT MOVEMENT THEREOF BETWEEN A POSITION ENGAGED WITH SAID STATIONARY CONTACT AND A POSITION REMOVED FROM SAID STATIONARY CONTACT; AND (E) AT LEAST ONE ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE CONTACT AREA ON SAID CONTACT MOVING MEANS MOVABLE THEREWITH BETWEEN A POSITION ENGAGING SAID MOVABLE CONTACT WHEN SIAD MOVABLE CONTACT IS IN ITS POSITION REMOVED FROM SAID STATIONARY CONTACT AND A POSITION DISENGAGED FROM SAID MOVABLE CONTACT WHEN SAID MOVABLE CONTACT IS ENGAGED WITH SAID STATIONARY CONTACT. 